Common types of attacks on business website

What is website security?

Website security is a process comprising various technical measures implemented to safeguard information, data, and systems of a website from threats and attacks. These threats can originate from various sources, including:

• Malicious users, such as hackers, cybercriminals, etc.
• Software vulnerabilities or security loopholes
• Hardware malfunctions or failures

With the increasing prevalence of the internet, websites serve not only as platforms for information and services but also as repositories for large volumes of critical and sensitive data. This data may include customers' personal information, financial data, proprietary business information, etc. Therefore, the primary objective of website security extends beyond just preventing unauthorized access to maintaining data integrity, ensuring information availability, and safeguarding online storage for businesses and users.

Specifically, the objectives of website security include:

• Preventing unauthorized access: This is the primary goal of website security, aiming to prevent individuals without proper authorization from accessing the information, data, and systems of the website.
• Maintaining data integrity: This objective ensures that the data on the website remains unchanged, unaltered, or deleted unlawfully.
• Ensuring information availability: This goal ensures that the website remains operational and able to provide information to users, even in the event of disruptions.
• Safeguarding online storage: This objective aims to protect the website's data from harmful agents such as viruses, malware, etc.

Effectively implementing website security measures helps businesses and users protect their information, data, and systems from threats and attacks, thereby preventing potentially serious consequences.

Impact of website attacks on businesses

Financial loss:

One of the most significant impacts of website attacks is financial loss. Businesses may face various expenses as a result of being attacked, including:

• Remediation costs: These include expenses associated with restoring the website, systems, and data following an attack. This may involve hiring experts, purchasing security software, and compensating affected customers.
• Data recovery costs: Businesses may incur expenses to recover lost or corrupted data after an attack. This could involve using backup solutions and data restoration services.
• Revenue loss: Website attacks can lead to a decrease in revenue, especially if the website is unable to function properly or if customers lose trust in the business's security measures. This loss can be significant, particularly for businesses that rely heavily on online sales.

In addition, if a website attack results in the exposure of customers' personal information, the business may face further costs related to legal fees, regulatory fines, and compensation payouts.

Reputation and trust impact:

When a business website is compromised, it can have significant implications for the company's reputation and trustworthiness in the eyes of users, including:

• Loss of customer trust: Customers may feel apprehensive about sharing personal information on a platform that does not guarantee the safety and security of their data. This could lead customers to refuse to use the business's services or even switch to competitors.
• Damage to brand reputation: Website attacks can lead to the perception that the business is inadequate in securing information, affecting its image and reputation in the market.

If businesses fail to address security issues thoroughly, customers may switch to competitors, affecting long-term collaboration and business development. Therefore, website security is crucial for businesses, especially those engaged in online commerce. Businesses need to implement effective website security measures to protect customers' personal information and ensure the company's image and reputation.

Business disruption:

Websites play a critical role as a primary channel for businesses to engage with customers and conduct commercial transactions. When a website falls victim to an attack, it can severely disrupt business operations.

During a website attack, the business's day-to-day operations experience significant interruptions. For instance, customers are unable to access the website to seek information or make purchases, while the business itself is unable to process orders or carry out transactions. As a result of the website being either slow or completely inaccessible due to the attack, customers may opt to switch to competitors' services, leading to detrimental impacts on the business's revenue and profitability.

Furthermore, being targeted in a website attack isn't just a short-term setback; it can also impede the business's long-term growth and sustainability. This highlights the critical need for businesses to prioritize investments in information security measures and develop robust strategies for post-attack recovery to minimize the negative consequences.

Phishing:

Phishing is a type of cyber attack where the attacker impersonates a trusted entity to deceive users into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details. Phishing attacks typically use spoofed emails or text messages that appear to come from a trustworthy source, such as a bank, credit card company, or government agency. In these spoofed emails or text messages, the attacker often employs tactics to convince users that they are in danger or need to provide information immediately. For example, the attacker may claim that the user's account has been locked or is showing suspicious activity, or they may say that the user needs to verify their personal information to receive a bonus or gift. When users provide sensitive information to the attacker, the attacker can use that information to steal the user's identity, carry out unauthorized financial transactions, or sell the information to others.

Ransomware:

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim's data and demands ransom payment to unlock the data. Ransomware attacks typically begin through sophisticated forms of deception, such as spoofed emails or text messages that appear to come from a trusted source, such as the user's bank or credit card company. When users open attachments or click on malicious links in these emails or text messages, ransomware is downloaded and installed on the user's computer. The ransomware then encrypts all important files on the user's computer, including documents, images, videos, and even the operating system. Users will be unable to access the encrypted files until they pay the ransom to the attacker. Attackers often demand payment in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

SQL Injection:

SQL injection is a web attack technique that allows an attacker to inject SQL code into a web application. This SQL code can then be used to execute commands on the application's database. SQL injection can be used to perform various types of attacks, including:

• Data theft: Attackers can use SQL injection to retrieve sensitive information from the database, such as usernames, passwords, financial information, or personal data.
• Data manipulation: Attackers can use SQL injection to modify data in the database, such as altering account balances, credit scores, or ratings.
• Creating new accounts: Attackers can use SQL injection to create new accounts in the database, such as user accounts, administrator accounts, or service accounts.
• System attacks: Attackers can use SQL injection to attack the system, such as disabling the system, deleting data, or executing malicious code.

Cross-site Scripting (XSS):

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a web attack where an attacker injects malicious code into trusted websites. This malicious code can then be executed in the victim's browser when they access the compromised website. Cross-site scripting (XSS) can be used to perform various types of attacks, including:

• Identity theft: Attackers can use XSS to hijack access to the victim's accounts, such as bank accounts, social media accounts, or email accounts.
• Data theft: Attackers can use XSS to steal sensitive information from the victim, such as usernames, passwords, financial information, or personal data.
• Altering website behavior: Attackers can use XSS to change the behavior of the website, such as displaying fake alerts or redirecting the victim to a malicious website.

DDoS Attacks (Distributed Denial-of-Service):

DDoS attacks involve an attacker using multiple computers (often called a botnet) to send fake traffic to a target, such as a website or a service. The goal of DDoS attacks is to make the target inaccessible for legitimate users. DDoS attacks can be used for various purposes, including:

• Political or social attacks: Attackers may use DDoS attacks to target organizations or individuals whose views or actions they disagree with.
• Business attacks: Attackers may use DDoS attacks to disrupt businesses or to make financial demands.
• Personal attacks: Attackers may use DDoS attacks to harass or threaten individuals.

DDoS attacks are often not used to exploit vulnerabilities in a business's systems to steal data or assets. However, DDoS attacks can be used to create favorable conditions for other attacks, such as infiltration or ransomware attacks.

Implementation of HTTPS:

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure data transmission protocol that uses encryption to protect user data from being intercepted and stolen. When a website uses HTTPS, data is encrypted before being transmitted over the network. This helps prevent hackers from intercepting and stealing data. HTTPS can be implemented for a business website by purchasing an SSL certificate from a reputable SSL certificate provider. The SSL certificate will generate an encryption key for the business website. This key is used to encrypt data when it is transmitted over the network. HTTPS is a crucial security measure for every website. It helps protect user data, including personal information, financial information, and other sensitive data.

Below are some benefits of using HTTPS for a website:

• Protecting user data from being stolen: HTTPS uses encryption to protect user data from being stolen by hackers.
• Enhancing the credibility of the business: HTTPS helps the business build credibility and trust with customers.
• Improving website rankings on search engines: Google and other search engines often prioritize websites that use HTTPS.

Updating source code and software:

Developers often release regular updates to patch security vulnerabilities. Timely updating of source code and software helps minimize the risk of being attacked. Security vulnerabilities are weaknesses in the source code or configuration of a website that can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorized access and control of the website. Typically, security vulnerabilities can be identified through regular security audits or reports from reputable organizations. To update the source code and software for the website, businesses need to ensure they have an automated or manual update process in place. Businesses should also monitor the latest updates from developers and install them as soon as possible.

Here are some benefits of updating source code and software for the website:

• Reduce the risk of being attacked: Updating source code and software helps patch security vulnerabilities, thereby reducing the risk of being attacked.
• Improve performance: Updates often include performance improvements, making the website faster and more efficient.
• Add new features: Updates often include new features, making the website more useful and appealing to users.

Businesses should regularly update the source code and software for their website to protect it from attacks and improve website performance.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional security layer that requires users to enter a verification code in addition to their password to log in. This verification code is typically sent via text message or authentication app. 2FA helps protect the website by adding an extra security layer. Passwords are a weak authentication method because they can be cracked using brute-force tools or stolen password datasets. Two-factor authentication adds an extra security layer by requiring users to enter a verification code that hackers cannot know.

Here are some benefits of using 2FA for the website:

• Enhanced security: 2FA enhances website security by adding an extra security layer.
• Minimize the risk of being attacked: 2FA helps minimize the risk of being attacked by making unauthorized access to the website more difficult.
• Improved user experience: 2FA can improve the user experience by helping users feel safer when accessing the website.

Regular data backup:

Regular data backup is an essential security measure for every website. By doing so, a business can restore data in case the website crashes or becomes infected with malware. Regular data backup helps minimize damages in case of incidents. Businesses should back up their data at least once a day. Moreover, it's important to store backups in a secure location, such as on the cloud or an external hard drive. Storing backups in a secure location helps protect data from loss or damage. The method of backing up website data will depend on each business's website platform. Some website platforms offer built-in data backup features. For platforms without built-in data backup features, businesses can use third-party backup plugins or services.

Here are some benefits of regular data backup for websites:

• Data Recovery in Case of Website Crash or Malware Infection: Data backups help businesses recover data in case the website crashes or becomes infected with malware. This helps businesses minimize damages and maintain normal business operations.
• Cost Reduction: Regular data backups help businesses reduce costs in case of incidents. This is because businesses won't have to spend money on restoring data from scratch.
• Enhanced Security: Regular data backups help enhance website security. This is because businesses will have a copy of the data in case the original data is lost or damaged.

With the comprehensive website security solution VNIS, businesses can rest assured that their websites will be fully protected and effective against increasingly sophisticated and large-scale website attacks, while still ensuring stable operation. The VNIS platform under VNETWORK commits to providing peace of mind for businesses in safeguarding their systems against all types of website attacks with the following features:

Comprehensive protection:

The VNIS platform utilizes advanced technologies to help businesses deal with various sophisticated website attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), DDoS, and many other types of attacks. This ensures that businesses' websites are tightly and comprehensively protected against all forms of attack.

Access control:

The VNIS solution allows businesses to tightly control access to web applications and APIs, preventing suspicious accounts from accessing and performing actions that could impact the system.

Integration of AI and Machine Learning:

By leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning analysis, the VNIS platform continuously updates security policies to automatically adapt to new attack patterns and risks, swiftly handling cybersecurity incidents and minimizing maximum damage.

Performance optimization and latency reduction:

The VNIS solution not only provides powerful website protection features but also optimizes performance and reduces latency during access, maintaining the best user experience without compromising system performance.

24/7 SOC support:

Recognizing the urgency and timeliness of security, VNETWORK has established Security Operation Centers (SOC) with a readiness to combat emergencies to minimize losses. Currently, VNETWORK's SOC systems are present in Vietnam, Singapore, and many other countries, helping businesses monitor and respond to network attacks immediately.

In the increasingly complex landscape of cybersecurity and the diversity of security solutions, choosing a safe and effective website security solution is a crucial decision for every business.

VNETWORK commits that the VNIS security solution is not only a suitable choice but also a reliable partner for absolute peace of mind. With the support of VNIS, businesses are tightly protected against increasingly sophisticated and subtle website attacks, ensuring stability and the best user experience.

Let VNIS protect your business website comprehensively against all cyber attacks and help your business develop confidently in today's digital environment. For detailed consultation and quotation, please contact VNETWORK via hotline: (028) 7306 8789 or email: contact@vnetwork.vn.